"Current forecasts
predict an annual
growth rate of 25 percent for carbon nanotubes" said
Dr. Joachim Wolff, BMS Executive Committee member, said in a
statement. "We are also expecting nanotechnology to create
a total of 100,000 new jobs in the German industry in the medium
term."

The new facility is expected to produce 200 metric
tons of nanotubes each year.

There aren't many CNT
production facilities in the world, able to meet industrial-scale
CNTs -- and this plant will specialize in Baytubes.

Baytubes
are different because the modified carbon is able to be added
as a filler to help improve the mechanical strength to metal
systems. BMS offered an example of Baytubes being used in
coatings for ships, offering higher abrasion resistance to help
reduce wear over time.

The new Baytubes could also be used in
skis, surfboards, hockey sticks, bicycle components and similar
products.

Baytubes could be used in numerous ways in a
wide variety of industries, with BSN using "thermoplastic and
thermoset systems and coatings."

Nanocyl, a Belgian
biotech company specializing in nanotubes, is installing a reactor
that will be used in nanotube production -- overall product capacity
would be up to 400 tons per year.

Traditional multi-wall
nanotubes are comprised of rolled layers of graphite, with a small
number of carbon nanotube suppliers available. For the expected
growth nanotubes should receive in the coming years, there still
aren't a lot of manufacturers available.

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